Jerksticks

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 08:29 AM) I agree with you. His apparent inability to play a respectable RF is a major concern. I had read mixed reviews of his arm, but it looks like his arm would not profile as a right fielder, which the Sox need. It's the same reason that I'm not enthused about Gordon. Oh well, back to Cespedes. Cespedes just makes so much sense. No draft pick. Plus plus plus arm. HR threat anytime in the box. Game changing player on offense and defense.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Jan 6, 2016 -> 06:11 AM) No thanks. If for no other reason, I wouldn't want to give the compensation pick to the Cubs. This and he's not that good anyway

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 4, 2016 -> 06:46 PM) Fister? I barely knew her. Fister?? Barely knew her! Haha by far my fav mang

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 26, 2015 -> 07:17 PM) Pittsburgh is in a very envious position right now. They have a team in place for '16 to be considered legit contenders. If things go well in their minors this season, the Pirates will be trading veteran salaries to make room for Glasnow/Taillon in the rotation, Bell for 1B, Hanson for 2B and Meadows for CF. Imo, McCutchen will be traded for a haul to help replenish the farm and reduce payroll to give the Pirates more financial flexibility. I really do envy the position the Pirates are in right now. After all these years, they finally have a front office and scouts that know what they are doing. The Pirates will be perennial contenders for the foreseeable future. Good for them. Nicely said. And what's great is this is the White Sox too, just many on here don't see it yet. Lot of people think we're just kicking the can down the road signing veterans etc, not building from within etc. Bull freaking s***. Our rotation will basically cost under $40M for the next five years. The entire rotation. That's doing something extremely right. Adam Eaton & Abreu are studs. It's working, the farm is looking super solid. And we didn't lose on purpose for 5 years. Everybody needs to quit being mad at the Sox FO & ownership now. Just stop. We're in a super enviable position moving forward- way better than the cubs.

QUOTE (bulokis @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 03:18 PM) The idea of getting a good bat and having 3 high picks this draft sounds good to me. It is like we are competing and rebuilding at the same time. Ding ding ding! It's absolutely genius what the FO is doing. It's ridiculous that people advocate a tear down.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 30, 2015 -> 11:22 AM) If a random guy on the twitter is willing to stake his reputation on it, this must be a done deal. Haha I love the staking the reputation nonsense with these guys. The audacity to even give themselves such self-importance is so funny. "Oh I was wrong, he signed with Boston but it did go down to the wire." Nobody cared anyway man, even if you were right. The team'll report the news soon enough.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 11:55 PM) Hahn strikes shortly after midnight CT. KW strikes on Wednesdays. Seems like the perfect storm for a signing of Yoenis Cespedes in the next 90 minutes! Haha f*** you man I was just about to hang up the internets for the night too

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 02:07 PM) This is not true, rosenthal, nightengale, heyman dont name who their sources are. If anyone starts naming their sources, then they dont have sources anymore. My overall question to this is what's the overall point of having sources at all in sports media, specifically relating to offseason activity? Like what's the benefit of being the first to announce the Sox are trading for Frazier 9 minutes before it's officially announced? I almost feel sorry for guys like Rosenthal etc who spend so much time gathering information that is completely useless. As a fan I'm perfectly fine waiting the extra 9 minutes for something to be announced officially. What am I missing? Do they hand out cookies or extra money to guys for popping stories 9 minites early. What's sad is I feel like these guys are mostly used by front offices to plant stories for leverage. Front offices are awesome.

I'm predicting both of them sign with the Sox for the same price 5yr/$110M. At the same time too.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 12:05 AM) Ya, let's see how Engel handles moving up to AA before we get too excited. Engel is definitely a player to take the wait and see approach with. Mos def. God I hope he tears up AA and Anderson tears up AAA...AND Saladino cements himself as our SS for the next 5-8 years. Would love to be able to use Anderson to get our catcher of the future.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 09:57 PM) Sure. Motivated to leave. Which is good. One word: Engel

^I agree man, well said. We're for sure going for it. That's why we have Frazier and the catcher position looks super solid in theory. I'm all in too so I think they're trying to sign Gordon AND Cespedes w Melky at Dh. Avi & Laroche Sanchez on the bench. Eaton Gordon Abreu Frazier Cespedes Melky Catcher Lawrie Saladino Laroche, Sanchez, Shuck, Avi and the new catcher are great bench bats. Great for platooning tough relievers late in the game. I'd love that bench.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 26, 2015 -> 06:58 PM) The players I'd prefer are rumored to be on the trade block and without knowing the asking prices its hard for me to realistically say. I'm just not a fan of spending huge money on a long term contract for one player. I would rather spread that money around throughout the team instead of paying one player 15-20% of the total payroll. Meh, dude can't field worth a s*** and has too many holes in his swing. I prefer The Great Cornholio. "Poop" Cornholio hung em up years ago braghh. In my perfect world I want the badass version of Avi Garcia playing RF. Damnit all to hell

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 08:55 PM) 100% agree. I'd have to believe that everything at this point is pure spectulation. I'll start to believe things when guys like Rosenthal and Heyman start reporting stuff. Haha for sure. I just wait til they sign

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Dec 20, 2015 -> 09:47 PM) Of course I know as do we all who owns the team, that's not the issue (although it is clear from both KW and RH's own mouth as well as the Showtime series from back in 2010 that JR is a very hands-on owner. NO MAJOR decisions aren't made without his approval) That's not the question though is it, who runs the day to day decisions, who makes the calls before submitting them to JR for his final yes or no is the question I submit and the evidence just in print is clear based on their own comments from KW and RH that there is plenty of room for doubt by many fans. I don't find that rooting for or against any individual or from how things have been done. Nor does that suggest I'm for a "go for it (yet again)" approach or a complete rebuild, I've already stated I don't care...yet again, pick a plan and stay with it is all I'm saying. The Sox HAVE NOT been a very successful franchise over the past 35 years, the number of playoff appearances bear that out. That's not even open for discussion. The question is why not given their resources and advantages over the other teams in the division. Could a unwieldy front office be part of the reason? Maybe, hard to say without actually being in the room. But that doesn't negate the legitimacy of the question does it friends and neighbors. I'll be interested to hear what the "excuses" are come this June if the Sox stumble badly out of the gate again and perhaps Ventura is fired, and then we'll get an update on the "three year plan / window." Mark Excuses? I think we differ as fans. I don't need excuses if they don't win or make the playoffs. All i know and care about is that they try to win every year. I respect the hell out of that. Sure 2014 was admittedly a transition, but I love that we aren't doing some 5 year rebuild. The FO flipped cores in a year and we are set up to win every year moving forward. It's really hard to say they aren't trying and it's a super fun time to be a Sox fan. We don't deserve transparency as fans but I'm super happy to know that such a tight "family" of brothers runs the ship.

This is kind of what I've been thinking for awhile. He can pretty much suck and he'll be damn near equal to Alexei Ramirez. That $9M savings is so worth it. That being said I'm gonna throw out an optimistic .290/.345/.460 14 HR, 29 2B, 5 3B, 20SB and badass defense

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Dec 20, 2015 -> 02:17 PM) And you're assuming that you know which is also disingenuous isn't it? LOL. Again NO ONE knows with 100% clarity which is why you have so many Sox fans, a ton of them wondering who exactly is pulling the trigger on things. And despite what you think the media isn't totally stupid, there are a lot of sharp people in that profession. That fact that they are wondering as well speaks volumes. Based on the track record of both of JR's franchises, it's clear historically and statistically his method of front office alignments isn't working. I hope I'm still around when the Sox and Bulls are under new ownership just to see if a different organizational philosophy breeds more success. Mark I'm a fan and I know who runs the Sox. I'm not wondering anything. I know that JR owns the team. I also know that KW is the man. I also know that RH has been KW's right-hand man for a very long time. I also know that they are basically a two-headed snake. I also know that out of respect for RH, because of his tenure and great working relationship with KW, that the titles were upgraded so Rick could get some recognition. I also know that KW is RH's boss- he always has been. I also know that when he was offered the promotion to GM he also knew that he would still be working for KW. I also know that he accepted that position. I also know that most members of the sports media are POS and like to stir up controversy because it makes for news. It's one of the most awful things on this planet. Trying to trick every athlete (especially young ones) and every executive into saying things controversial. Loaded questions etc. i effing hate the media for that. Why not just report on the greatness of athletic men? Why try to cause rifts between brothers? Scumbags

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 08:32 PM) Well duh... so does every good/powerful hitter. Ahh thanks.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 07:31 PM) Wow! Let's view all organizations through the prism of Cubbiedom. That interview was embarrassing in many ways. They basically ambushed Hahn with the KW line of questioning, and they barely touched on the Frazier and Lawrie deals. Those two moves should help fill a couple of big holes without costing the top young prospects in the organization, and they are both pretty affordable. The Sox don't need to do a total tear down. They have good young pitching in Sale & Qintana. Rodon was pretty good and looks to be really good. And they have a few more young arms on the way. They have a few good position players at the major league level (Abreu & Eaton). If they add a few more, they can contend. They just have to be able to identify players who will play to their historical numbers. They've missed badly on Smardijia, Dunn, & LaRoche. A few guys like Avi haven't had enough time to really evaluate, yet. The idea of gutting this team is silly. 3/4 of the Sox infield looks to be good. The catcher position is probably on par with most teams. Starting pitching is decent. The bullpen is decent. They need an upgrade at one of the outfield spots, but I don't think they should be desperate and trade young talent or go overboard in paying a huge contract to Upton or Cespedes. They've had a good offseason. I think Hahn should be commended for it. Amen brother. I think any of the opinions that the Sox are "stuck in the middle" or "won't contend for a few years" or "need to suck it up and do a full rebuild" are beyond stupid. Way beyond. Like here's stupid, now drive 100 miles farther down stupidville road, go past Sale's mansion & Abreu's complex, take a right on Eaton road and past the better than average catcher's quarters, beyond the nice bullpens on the hill, stop and take in the sights at the stables full of young thoroughbreds and go jump in a hole. We don't need you. ?

Someone on one of the CSN shows was talking about how Cespedes absolutely strikes fear into the pitchers when he's at the dish. I didn't know that but I like it.

I still think KW's comments about "no plan" were a smoke screen and some honesty. Why people took them as a condemnation of RH is beyond me. People just like controversy and picking at carcasses and stuff. Sometimes the media gets creepy like that.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 12:33 AM) No, but you need for the more average or semi-casual fan to believe that your team has at least a 50/50 chance to compete for a playoff spot. Those fans could care less about WAR or payroll obligations...they only care about wins and losses, and the team's place in the standings. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb...-reds/77444506/ Good article from Cincy paper about Frazier and the team's need to trade him, very laudatory... http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb...-fans/75682648/ How will the Reds sell rebuilding to the fans? Worthwhile reading. Lots of examples (Cubs, Astros, Pirates, Royals, etc.) with plenty of quotes. Like the White Sox situation, the Reds held on too long with too many veteran players for "one last shot" at it and it has come back to bite them a bit, especially with the likes of Chapman, Frazier, Bruce and Phillips. They really don't have a whole lot to promote. Joey Votto. Billy Hamilton was a dud. Mesoraco and Cozart were hurt or didn't perform nearly as well as 2014. A Tigers' castoff (Suarez) was your main offensive highlight amongst the youngsters, and a batch of young rookie pitchers took a beating in the 2nd half. At least the white sox didnt hold on too long. Thankfully Rick & Kenny were smart enough to know when it was time to flip the core. Incredible job all around. If Davidson woulda panned out this trade could have been for our cornerstone catcher. Oh well, only an idiot would expect 100% success with trades. Keep up the good work KW, RH & JR!

I didn't read the story but is there any more to it than maybe the people in charge realizing something wasn't working as currently constructed? Maybe the actions serve the greater good of the place at this time, to help the best way they can.

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 15, 2015 -> 08:04 AM) What I try to do is separate the works from the theology. I certainly can understand people questioning or rejecting the theology, but the works that are done are concrete. If fairness all the actions, good and bad need to be accounted for before declaring something good or evil. I believe religion has been a useful concept in our society. Plus religion doesn't kill people, people kill people. For sure! I think people make the mistake of thinking religion has to do with a group of people when in fact, if one reads any of the famous literature, it's all about a personal commitment to do the next right thing- nothing more really. Some people twist that, some people organize into groups to discuss that, some people organize into groups to twist that. But the true message, let's use Christianity, is not to believe somebody died for your sins because that's meaningless. It's to emulate the way he lived which is unarguably the greatest way a human can live. I say unarguably because after I took a class on the gospel in college to fill a gen-ed, i actually found it impossible to disagree with anything the man says in those four books. Like my heart wouldn't let me. I guess it made me appreciate the selfless things the truly dedicated people do in this world to help others. No way I can bash that I guess. I feel like people bash it because they haven't taken the few days to read it. If you read it, it's hard not to get something positive out of it. Amazing that people used to burn people at the stake in the name of God. Nice one there freaks.

And all the selfless amazing work they do with orphans and homeless people. All the free counseling to battered women, the bereved, and the terminally ill. Countless people around the world, with their own version of God, devote their entire lives to the service of others, asking nothing in return. It's incredible but it doesn't make you sound smart at a party. So ironic that a person claiming to be smart could scoff at the message of God, which is to selflessly help as many people as you possibly can. "But religion starts wars!!" So smart. The human race thanks you for your opinion ?